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While flu season is around the corner, it is still too early to tell whether this year’s vaccine is a good match for the virus.
Dr. Genevieve Cadieux, associate medical officer of health at Ottawa Public Health, says flu season typically peaks in January, so for now we are in the “inter-seasonal” period for flu.
Cadieux said the incidence of flu cases so far this season was “very low. We only have seven cases. Seven cases is not enough to tell whether the vaccine is going to be a good match or not.”
That said, she said there were preventative measures people could take to better protect themselves and others. These include washing hands frequently with soap and water or hand sanitizer, sneezing into the elbow and staying home if sick with any kind of cough or runny nose.
Now, according to Cadieux, is the best time to get the flu shot, which is available in more than 300 doctor’s offices, more than 200 pharmacies and various community clinics.
“We still want to remind people that the flu season is coming and you have to get your flu shot before the season starts, ideally, because it takes your body two weeks to develop immunity.”
Last year, 617 cases of flu were confirmed, with 47 outbreaks in long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals.
Vaccines have been about 42 per cent effective during the past two flu seasons. While that not seem optimal, Cadieux said, getting a flu shot is always better than not getting it.
“Even if it turns out to be only effective in 50 per cent of cases, that means you have a one in two chance that you won’t get (the flu). Versus if you don’t get the vaccine and you encounter the flu virus, you have 100 per cent chance you are going to get it, or just about. So the vaccine is still your best protection against the flu.”
查看原文...
Dr. Genevieve Cadieux, associate medical officer of health at Ottawa Public Health, says flu season typically peaks in January, so for now we are in the “inter-seasonal” period for flu.
Cadieux said the incidence of flu cases so far this season was “very low. We only have seven cases. Seven cases is not enough to tell whether the vaccine is going to be a good match or not.”
That said, she said there were preventative measures people could take to better protect themselves and others. These include washing hands frequently with soap and water or hand sanitizer, sneezing into the elbow and staying home if sick with any kind of cough or runny nose.
Now, according to Cadieux, is the best time to get the flu shot, which is available in more than 300 doctor’s offices, more than 200 pharmacies and various community clinics.
“We still want to remind people that the flu season is coming and you have to get your flu shot before the season starts, ideally, because it takes your body two weeks to develop immunity.”
Last year, 617 cases of flu were confirmed, with 47 outbreaks in long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals.
Vaccines have been about 42 per cent effective during the past two flu seasons. While that not seem optimal, Cadieux said, getting a flu shot is always better than not getting it.
“Even if it turns out to be only effective in 50 per cent of cases, that means you have a one in two chance that you won’t get (the flu). Versus if you don’t get the vaccine and you encounter the flu virus, you have 100 per cent chance you are going to get it, or just about. So the vaccine is still your best protection against the flu.”
查看原文...
